This offseason wasn't too bad - Thank You World Baseball Classic. And yes, thank you college baseball, you know, for those true baseball nerds like me who watch these levels of the game. But here we are. Another start of the season (well, after the season) and poised for warmer weather, baseball games, and the greatest game on earth.
As tradition goes around these parts, here are my predictions (and a few wild guesses) for the 2017 MLB Season:
Standings (Wins +)
AL East
Blue Jays: 92+
Red Sox: 91+
Yankees: 87+
Orioles: 84+
Rays: 79+
AL Central
Indians 94+
Tigers: 90+
Royals: 87+
Twins: 76+
White Sox: 75+
AL West
Astros: 94+
Rangers: 91+
Mariners: 87+
Athletics: 75+
Angels: 73+
NL East
Nationals: 93+
Mets: 90+
Marlins: 87+
Phillies: 77+
Braves: 75+
NL Central
Cubs: 94+
Pirates: 87+
Cardinals: 86+
Brewers: 80+
Reds: 73+
NL West
Giants: 91+
Rockies: 88+
Dodgers: 86+
Diamondbacks: 81+
Padres: 71+
Goals/Awards/Leaders
AL Hitting Leaders
Average: Mookie Betts (.321)
Home Runs: Neslon Cruz (41)
RBIs: Miguel Cabrera (122)
Stolen Bases: Jarrod Dyson (41)
NL Hitting Leaders
Average: Starling Marte (.333)
Home Runs: Kris Bryant (48)
RBIs: Kris Bryant (127)
Stolen Bases: Dee Gordon (71)
AL Pitching Leaders
ERA: Aaron Sanchez (2.88)
Wins: Aaron Sanchez (19)
Strikeouts: Chris Sale (234)
Saves: Robert Osuna (38)
NL Pitching Leaders
ERA: Madison Bumgarner (2.43)
Wins: Max Scherzer (20)
Strikeouts: Noah Syndergaard (260)
Saves: Mark Melancon (37)
All-Star Game MVP - Mike Trout
AL Rookie of the Year: Carson Fulmer
NL Rookie of the Year: Dansby Swanson
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Michael Pineda
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Andrew McCutchen
AL Cy Young Winner: Aaron Sanchez
NL Cy Young Winner: Madison Bumgarner
AL MVP: Mike Trout
NL MVP: Kris Bryant
Playoffs
AL Wildcard: Rangers d. Red Sox
NL Wildcard: Rockies d. Mets
ALDS: Indians d. Blue Jays
ALDS: Astros d. Rangers
NLDS: Giants d. Nationals
NLDS: Cubs d. Rockies
ALCS: Indians d. Astros
NLCS: Giants d. Cubs
World Series: Indians d. Giants
World Series MVP: Jose Ramirez